Improvement in picture-frames



s. A. BOWERS & w. MURPHY.

PICTURE-FRAME.

No- 191,795. Patented June 12, 1877.

Fig.1. R255.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

SERENO A. BOWERS AND WILLIAM MURPHY, OF BURLINGTON, VERMONT.

IMPROVEMENT IN PICTURE-FRAMES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 191,795, dated June 12,1877 application filed March 27, 1877.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, SERENO A. BOWERS and WILLIAM MURPHY, of the city ofBurlington, in the county of Ohittenden and State of Vermont, haveinvented a new and useful Improvement in Picture-Frames, whichimprovement is fully set forth in the following specification andaccompanying drawing, in Which-- Figure 1 is a perspective view of theframe, showing its interior arrangement for a writing-desk. Fig. 2 is asimilar view of its adaptation to toilet purposes. Fig. 3 represents itsappearance as a frame for pictures.

The object of our invention is to furnish a frame for pictures, which isintended to be suspended against a wall, and which, at the same time,combines with it a writing desk and toilet-case.

In the drawings, the picture-frame A is subdivided longitudinally at thepoint e in Fig. 3, the front and rear divisions B and O, as it hangsagainst a wall, being connected together by hinges on the under side. ais the exterior space of the front division B, to be filled with thepicture. The interior of the frame comprises suitable arrangements foran escretoire or writing-desk and a toilet-case, each having places forall the conveniences for using the same.

The frame A is suspended in such a manner that it may be raised orlowered to any convenient height by means of suitable cords attached tothe rear divisions O, and passing through pulleys, or by-loop upon theframe being passed over a nail.

When used as'a writing-desk the frame is drawn down to the heightdesired. The front division B is then opened forward on its hinges asfar as the side braces f will permit,

thus exposing the writing materials which are contained in the reardivision 0, and the writing-pad g, which is attached to the top of thelid of the front division B. The pressure on the pad g by the personwhen writing only serves to keep the same more firmly in position. Byraising the pad or lid 9 of the front division B the arrangements for atoilet-case are exposed. The mirror h is fastened to the under side ofthe lid g, and the whole interior of the division B is subdivided bypartitions to accommodate thevarious articles for the toilet.

When not in use the front division B is readily lifted into placeagainst the rear division 0, to which it may be locked or hooked, andthe picture-frame again raised into proper position against the side ofthe wall.

This invention combines all the advantages and conveniences of a framefor pictures, a writing-desk, and toilet-case, thereby securing anarticle of furniture perfectly adapted to the purposes specified, whichis both cheap in manufacture, economical in room, and being at the sametime useful and ornamental.

What we claim is The combination, in the frame A, of the subdivisions BG, hinged together, the division U being covered by a lid, the wholeconstructed to form a frame for a picture, with a receptacle orrceptacles to hold writing, toilet, or other articles, and adapted to besuspended against the wall of a room, substantially as described andshown.

S. A. BOWERS. WM. MURPHY.

Witnesses:

CHARLES E. ALLEN, CHARLES P. BURNS.

